President Joe Biden’s Democrats thus expand their razor-thin majority in the US Senate. Barely a month after the US congressional elections, the last vacant seat in the Senate was awarded in Georgia.
The Democrats had already secured 50 of the 100 seats in the Senate during the so-called midterms in November – regaining control of the important chamber of congresses. Because Democratic US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also President of the Senate, is allowed to vote in a deadlock. With Democrat Warnock in office, the party now has a 51st seat in the chamber – and a somewhat more comfortable majority than before.
The first half of Biden’s term has shown how important a seat in the 51st Senate can be for Democrats. In particular, two senators from his own ranks made life difficult for Biden and blocked several of his political projects. Democrat Joe Manchin, in particular, repeatedly stood in the way, repelled his own party and the president. With the 51st seat, the Democrats can no longer be slowed down, at least by Manchin alone.
Warnock and Walker faced each other again in the runoff after both candidates received just under 50 percent of the vote on their first try in early November. Under federal election law, a second round was therefore necessary.
The campaign in Georgia attracted a lot of attention. Well-known politicians from both parties intervened because of the great importance for the power structure in the Senate. Against the 53-year-old incumbent Warnock, a black pastor, the Republicans sent the black ex-football star Walker into the race. The 60-year-old received support from Trump during the campaign but came under pressure from allegations from two women who accused Walker of pressuring them to have abortions after having affairs with him. This is also racy because Walker came out as a strict opponent of abortion. He denies the allegations.
Biden did not appear in Georgia during the election campaign before the second round – with his low popularity ratings, an appearance by his party friend would likely have been political ballast for Warnock. Instead, popular Democratic ex-President Barack Obama came to Georgia, which has a higher percentage of black voters than many other states.
The Republican Walker received support from Trump again shortly before the election. However, Trump also waived a joint campaign appearance before the second round — instead advertising Walker at a digital event Monday night (local time).
Trump announced three weeks ago that he would run again as the Republican presidential candidate in 2024. With his influence in the party already on the wane, another defeat at the hands of a candidate he supports is particularly bitter for him. Overall, the Democrats had done unexpectedly well in the congressional elections. They lost their majority in the House of Representatives, but smaller than widely expected. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
